Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Charlie Byrd
1962
Album Summary
Jazz Samba is a bossa nova album by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd released by Verve Records in 1962. Jazz Samba signaled the beginning of the bossa nova craze in America. Stan Getz was the featured soloist and the tracks were arranged by Charlie Byrd, who had first heard bossa nova during a tour of Brazil in 1961. Getz and Byrd were accompanied by two bassists: Keter Betts and Joe Byrd, Charlie Byrd's brother who also played guitar. They were joined by two drummers: Buddy Deppenschmidt and Bill Reichenbach. The album was recorded at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 1962 and released in April of that year.Two songs, "Desafinado" (Off Key or Out of Tune) and "Samba de Uma Nota Só" (One Note Samba) were composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and were released as singles in the U.S. and Europe. Charlie Byrd wrote one song, "Samba Dees Days", while the rest were by Brazilian composers.Stan Getz won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance of 1963 for "Desafinado", and went on to make many other bossa nova recordings, notably with João Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto and the popular song "The Girl from Ipanema". Robert Dimery included Jazz Samba in his book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The painting on the cover is by Olga Albizu.
WikipediaThis is a tough album to rate. Just considering the jazz scene, this album razzes my berries. Listening to it, I feel like I’m a cool daddy-o who’s got it made in the shade along side my ginchiest gal with a classy chassis. We’re at a club like the Copacabana with a whiskey and a cigar blowing off steam before we burn rubber to the passion pit for a double feature and some backseat bingo. I’m no aficionado here, but I do think Stan Getz is a hip cat on the saxophone. Not to be a wet rag, but I do not consider jazz to be the bee’s knees. I did catch some Z’s while listening to this one (it’s been a long week). We’ll nightingale, here’s my tale: If someone had this album on, I would enjoy hearing it through. And that’s the word from the bird. I’ll put a lid on it now.
Is it possible for Jon to give a Jazz album fewer than 5 stars? Yes. Is it possible for Jon to give a Samba album fewer than five stars? Yes. Is it possible for Jon to give a BOSSA NOVA album fewer than five stars? No.
At first seeing 'Jazz' in the album name was a bit intimidating, but this is the kind of jazz you drink coctails to, not the kind which makes your ears bleed...
Love this album-- excellent for those late spring nights on the patio, when the wind blows through the open windows of the house
What is "bossa nova"? Well it seems that the answer is in this album. The title itself (probably) summarizes it all, "jazz samba"! That's bossa nova, jazz samba. I can see why this album ignited the so-called bossa nova craze. It's chill, it's atmospheric, and it's energetic. The very music that one would hear in some tropical themed restaurant or some pub. What a good introduction to the genre. I enjoyed it a lot, despite my dislike towards jazz in general.
Two American gringoes steal Brazil's music. But they steal it very, very well. 5
What an absolutely fucking delightful album. I listened to it twice. Exuberant polyphony and phenomenal musicianship from start to finish. Fuck yes
5.0 - Loved his tropicalia exploration and this one is equally awesome. Classy, warm, sophisticated.
How is it possible that I did not have this album. Truly a crime. Great -- super mellow and groovy. Sunday morning wake up music.
The definition of cool. Mellow and exciting. Can never go wrong with Stan Getz.
YES! YES! YES! Va, va, va, va.. FIVE! You know when your husband is gonna try and put the moves on you when he throws this on the record player. I think this is Pepe Le Pew's go to. I'm sure Stan Getz a lotta action with that love horn of his.... mmhmmm. I dig this album and will listen to it before and after sex.
Very nice! Very good background music that makes me want to journey to spain during a coffee break
This is such a welcoming introduction to Stan Getz, it feels familiar immediately and sets a perfect mood.
Relaxing warm smooth Jazz. I like it, but not something I would listen to often. Not very exciting/energetic. Definitely cozy and romantic.
I kind of want to give this a five but while it’s very “cool” “smooth” and “mellow” it never really hit “brilliant” “outstanding” or “awesome”.
This album is new to me. I have heard of Stan, but never really took the time to explore him. I dig several forms of jazz, but Samba just isn't my thing. However, this listen on a Sunday morning with 7 inches of freshly fallen snow, did give me reason to sample some more of his stuff. Then once I saw there was a "The Essential Stan Getz" album, I have been enjoying him since, and would consider more of his smooth slow stuff a beautiful option in the right time and place.
I would be totally pleased with this album as background music at a nice restaurant, or in a hotel lobby. But casual jazz listening might just not be my thing. Apparently Stan Getz is a saxophone legend. I hadn't heard of him. He has two albums on the list. Some of his jazz influencers and contemporaries, who I had heard of, are not on the list... The musicianship on "Jazz Samba" seems incredibly tight and capable. It's easy to listen to. The guitar complements Getz's sax nicely. But here's the thing - I don't listen to enough jazz or know jazz well enough to judge how good of a jazz album this is. I felt the same way to some extent with Fela Kuti, and likely will with other non-rock albums on the list. Most of my musical knowledge and language comes from rock music (and some hip hop), so it's much harder to judge things from genres I'm not familiar with. Then there is the question of how much of the rating comes from the quality of the music, and how much comes from my enjoyment of it. I can know that something is a brilliant piece of music, but not really dig it. How many stars does that get?
Voy por la tercera y lo amo. Ya las conozco todas, el sax suena lindo y la grabación increible
pretty relaxing album, smooooth jazz, smooooooooth samba, smoooooooooooooooooooooth jazz samba. yum yum yum.
great album, can see if being used for sunday mornings making breakfast!
This is so freaking classic and so freaking good. I'll take more where that came from.
So elegant and comforting. I really enjoyed this work by the two jazz legends.
I imagine this listening to this album playing at a pub while sipping some cocktail. A very unconventional jazz album with some excellent, and calming melodies. As calming as it is, it is one that beckons you to the dance floor in a way that is impossible to resist. This has to be a staple in the Jazz Samba movement.
I love jazz wth. I will listen to this while doing schoolwork when school starts (s) Favorite songs: Samba Dees Days, Samba Triste, Samba De Uma Nota So, Bahia
A Stine called classic and highly influential album. Introduced jazz lovers in North America to bossa nova. What more is there to say. 5 🌟
A Stone cold classic and highly influential album. Introduced jazz lovers in North America to bossa nova. What more is there to say. 5 🌟
Great stuff. I love a good samba or bassa nova. Listened to this one back-to-back.
Good stuff, very nice to listen to. Would pick it up if I saw it at my record store.
This is the kind of album that soothes your very soul, through it´s beautiful yet baffling music.
Not a jazz fan myself but this a very smooth record. Relaxing & easy one to follow. Beautiful blend of guitar rhythm , bass and saxophone. Recommended!
Spectacular music. Not one I would have found my way to, so thank you!
I love bossa nova, love Getz, love Spanish guitar,… love the album. It’s sexy af.
10/10. This was like the perfect chill studying music. Was not expecting to like this as much as I did.
Sadly this arrived on a rainy day, not the best weather for Jazz Samba, but still great playing. Smooth and mellow to a fault.
I mean, is this a complete white colonization of samba, or is this jazzy/chilly heaven? Samba/bosa nova is itself a product of colonization! Can a colonial art form be further colonized? Any way, five stars for the chill factor, but I reserve the right to critique and update based on cultural violence.
Every song in this album is an easy, relaxing listen. Really enjoyed E Luxo So on first listen.
ну стэн гетц конечьно не оджи боссановер но он круто коллабил с челами типа жильберто... всем кто не в теме рекомендую найти эти траки с вокалом, они очень вайбовые!
Reminds me of summer 1954, when I cruised around the Amalfi coast in my convertible Fiat, wooed beautiful Italian women, and did other stuff I completely made up for the purposes of this review.
Really nice and chill, I loved it! Great for background music and to study!
I don't really need to listen to this to know I'm going to love it. I listened to it. I loved it.
I love it! O Pato!! This song keeps finding me. What a fun album, honestly.
Generally speaking I don't know exactly how to judge jazz, however I loved the "sweetness" of the sax it wasn't agressive or too passive, it was just on point. The timing of the percussions also was perfect, really it was one of the best jazz albums.